Imran asks PPP to get rid of Zardari, replied in same coin

ISLAMABAD: The marriage of convenience between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended after six months as PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said that the PPP should get rid of Asif Zardari, while the People’s Party advised the Tehreek-Insaf to ditch Imran Khan if it wants to succeed.

The PTI chairman also announced to hold the Islamabad march on October 30.Imran made an appeal to the nation to reach the federal capital on that day otherwise “their children would be slaves to children of the rulers”.

“I am not inviting but making an appeal to the nation to reach Islamabad on October 30 and we will not move away until the prime minister resigns or he presents himself for accountability,” he asserted. He added they would not let him run the government until their demands were met.

He noted that the issue of probe into the PanamaLeaks was deliberately being dragged, as the prime minister knew he would be caught. He claimed had they not been on the roads, the issue would have fizzled out. “If this issue is buried now, then in future, no one will be able to take action against him,” he warned.

Imran was talking to media persons after chairing a meeting of his party leadership on how to proceed on his announcement of shutting down Islamabad.The PTI, he said, had tried the state institutions and made every possible effort in parliament for accountability of corrupt and questioned had anyone asked the NAB what it was doing. He complained that PTI MNA Assad Umar’s bill on declaration of assets was killed in the National Assembly.

He alleged both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari were kings of corruption and would they not be held accountable? He alleged the kind of opposition being played by Khursheed Shah was a glaring example of friendly opposition. He went on to say Shah himself faced corruption charges.

Imran pointed out that whatever Bilawal might say, he would not be able to do anything, as he was delighted on shaking hands with a “thief” the other day after calling him a friend of Modi and a traitor, referring to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. “I can’t be that kind of a hypocrite,” he remarked.

Referring to Khursheed Shah and Maulana Fazlur and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Imran said that he could not do politics on the pattern of Shah and Fazlur Rehman. He recalled when Modi was busy in isolating Pakistan, a so-called patriot, who had his assets abroad, was doing shopping in London. 

PTI chairman alleged that Nawaz had massively dented Pakistan financially and morally just to hide his corruption and evade accountability. PTI chairman contended that people like Aitzaz Ahsan in PPP really wanted accountability of Nawaz Sharif but in the presence of Zardari, this was impossible. “Nawaz and Zardari both face corruption charges,” he noted.

Imran even proposed to PPP to get rid of Zardari the way MQM did from Altaf Hussain, if it wanted to survive. He added what Zardari did to PPP, no other could do so.  “I have no hope in the state institutions and now, whatever hope is left is with the Supreme Court. It took suo moto notice of small things then why not is it taking action on such a huge corruption case with sufficient evidence,” he said.

He asserted whatever were they doing was for the future of Pakistan. Imran charged a drama of joint session was staged and what happened in the session proved their decision of boycott was correct and asked what message was given on Kashmir issue. He added they had participated in APC on Kashmir issue to convey a message that all were on this issue.

Referring to Nawaz and Zardari, he said they were patriots, who had their assets and children abroad and whenever Pakistan faced difficult time, Nawaz would go abroad. He recalled when students were killed in Bacha university terrorist attack, Nawaz was doing shopping in London.

Imran was seen congratulating Assad Umar on what happened between PPP and PML-N leaders in the Parliament’s joint session Thursday. “Congratulations, there was a brawl,” he said to Umar, who asked, “Really?” 

On this, Imran wondered “were you not aware of this” and said there was a brawl between PPP and PML-N walas. PTI chairman said exactly that happened, which he had anticipated.    Meanwhile, PPP’s Senator Saeed Ghani said that the PTI should get rid of Imran Khan who is suffering from mental pressure. 

 Other party leaders said since Imran is driven by hatred and vendetta, the PTI should have some sage soul to lead it. They said Zardari is fighting for democracy, adding that Imran used to say bad things about Sheikh Rashid but now both are together.  They also said that there is Sunday on October 30, when Imran wants to make the citizens hostage.